Father Brian J. McCormick, who retired after more than 40 years of service to the poor and marginalized through his work with Martin House, will be honored at a June 24 luncheon in the Nottingham Ballroom, Hamilton Square.

Hosted by the “Friends of Father Brian McCormick,” the luncheon will run from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Before the luncheon, Father McCormick is scheduled to celebrate the noon Mass in St. Gregory the Great Church, 4620 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square.

Martin House was founded in 1968 as an experimental ministry of the Diocese of Trenton in the aftermath of rioting in 1968 in the City of Trenton. Three priests, Father Jack Ryan, Father William Dailey and Father Sam Lupica started the dialogue to begin the ministry at the time. Two years later, Father McCormick was appointed by Bishop George W. Ahr to head the fledgling ministry in 1970 and it has been his life’s work ever since.

In a previously released statement, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., announced that Martin House has transferred its operational facility to the institution itself and is no longer an agency of the Diocese of Trenton.

Bishop O’Connell had expressed his gratitude to Father McCormick for his decades-long, steady and unwavering efforts to build a program of service to the needy of Trenton through Martin House.

“He is an incredible priest who has demonstrated truly Christ-like ministry. Knowing him, that ministry will continue to unfold in the diocese in wonderful ways. Martin House stands on a firm foundation, thanks to him and his associates there, and continues to deserve the support of people of all faiths for the great work it does,” Bishop O’Connell has stated.

Father McCormick was born Nov. 18, 1940 in Denville and grew up in Somerville. He attended St. Joseph School, Raritan, and St. Peter High School, New Brunswick. He prepared for the priesthood in Immaculate Conception Seminary, Darlington, and was ordained a priest in May, 28, 1966, by Bishop George W. Ahr in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.

The newly ordained Father McCormick’s first parish assignment was St. James Parish, Woodbridge (now the Diocese of Metuchen), where he took a particular interest in ministering to youth and young adults. In 1969, he was appointed vocational director of Middlesex County and chaplain of the New Brunswick Serra Club.

Father McCormick has also been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Spirit of St. Francis Award, presented by St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton, and the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers’ 1993 Citizen of the Year Award.

“Father Brian’s spirit is what has made Martin House what it is,” said Linda S. Oliaro, a member of the “Friends of Father Brian McCormick,” which is comprised of a group of folks who have worked with him in various capacities.

“This spirit of love, sharing and caring is Christ-like in its uncompromising simplicity, and has positively touched many lives,” Oliaro said. “Father Brian’s hope has always been that all Catholic parishes will reach out to those who are hurting, and he has made sure that Martin House facilitates that.”

“It is Father Brian’s hope that the spirit and impact of Martin House will continue as it goes forward into the future,” she said.